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Alameda County DUI Court Appearance

Your DUI court appearance in Alameda County may be the first time you've ever been in trouble with the law. Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs is a misdemeanor crime in California and carries the possibility of jail time and a criminal record. It is important that you know what your court appearance will be like so you will not be walking into a totally unfamiliar situation.

After reviewing this page about an Alameda County DUI court appearance contact experienced East Bay DUI defense lawyer Lynn Gorelick with any other questions. Lynn Gorelick understands the unique distinctions of each courthouse and jurisdiction in the East Bay and will stand by your side to make sure your rights are defended in court. 

Which DUI Arrests Are Handled in the Alameda County Courts


There are a couple of courts that handle DUI cases in Alameda County. All the Alameda County Trial Courts were unified to form the Alameda County Superior Court. Most Alameda County DUI cases are heard in courts located in Oakland, Fremont, and Dublin.  Alameda County Courts hear DUI cases involving DUI arrests in: 

Appearing for Your DUI Court Date in Person

The first court appearance is generally the “arraignment.” This is where the driver is read the formal DUI charges and responds to those charges, guilty or not guilty. You may feel a lot of pressure when first hearing a judge accuse you of a crime and being asked for how you plead. Talk to your experienced East Bay DUI defense lawyer who can prepare you for court and help you through the process. 

The most important part of your arraignment is just showing up on time. Your case will not be decided on that court date unless you decide to plead guilty. If you plead not guilty, your case will be given a later date when you can respond more thoroughly to the charges. However, if you fail to appear in court, a “failure to appear” (FTA) may be issued, which could lead to a warrant for your arrest.

Leave plenty of time to account for traffic, parking, and going through security to get to the courtroom on time. A judge is not likely to be interested in your reasons for why you are late. 

If you cannot make the court date because of a conflict, you need to contact your attorney as soon as possible or contact the court to request a postponement or change of date. If you live in a different state, talk to your attorney about how your case can be handled if you are residing out of state

No Time to Lose to Keep Your License 

There is a separate part of the DUI arrest process that many drivers are surprised to learn about. After a DUI arrest, the police will take away your driver's license and give you a temporary driving permit. The permit is good for 30 days but you only have 10 days to request a hearing to keep your driving privileges. 

The license suspension after a DUI arrest is handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV will administratively suspend your license after a DUI arrest even if you are never convicted. You have 10 days after a DUI arrest to formally request a DMV hearing to keep your license from being suspended. Talk to your DUI criminal defense attorney who can handle the DMV hearing request and appear on your behalf to challenge the license suspension. 

OAKLAND CRIMINAL COURT - WILEY W. MANUEL COURTHOUSE

The Oakland courthouse generally handles most DUI arrests that occurred in:

  • Oakland
  • Albany
  • Berkeley
  • Castro Valley
  • Hayward
  • San Leandro
  • San Lorenzo

and arrests by the Alameda County Sheriff's Department in any city. 

The courthouse is on Washington Street, between 6th and 7th Streets, right next to the 880 freeway in downtown Oakland. 

Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse

661 Washington Street
Oakland, California 94607

Phone: 510-627-4700

Parking: There is a parking garage on the corner of 7th Street and Jefferson Street, with the entrance off of 7th Street. Limited metered parking may be available on nearby streets.

Public Transportation: The closest BART station is 12th Street/Oakland City Center (.4 miles away). This BART station is on the Yellow, Red, and Orange lines. A number of AC Transit bus lines also serve the downtown Oakland area.

DUBLIN - EAST COUNTY HALL OF JUSTICE


Most DUI arrests in Dublin and the surrounding area will initially be heard in the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin, California. Other areas that may be heard in the Dublin court include: 

  • Pleasanton
  • Livermore
  • Dublin 
  • Mountain House 
  • Unincorporated Areas of Alameda County

East County Hall of Justice

5151 Gleason Drive
Dublin, California 94568

Phone: 925-227-6700

The courthouse is located off Gleason Drive, between Arnold Road and Madigan Road, in Dublin. The court is located across from the Santa Rita Jail. To get to the East County Hall of Justice by car, take the Hacienda Drive exit north from the 580 freeway. Hacienda drive goes directly into the courthouse complex.

Parking: There is a free parking lot next to the courthouse, with an entrance off of Gleason Drive. 

Public Transportation: The East County Hall of Justice is about 1 ½ miles from the East Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. A number of bus lines serve the area, including the Tri-Valley Wheels Bus Route 1 from the BART station to the Hall of Justice. 

FREMONT CRIMINAL COURT - FREMONT HALL OF JUSTICE


Most DUI cases for arrests in Fremont and the surrounding area will initially be heard at the Fremont Hall of Justice. DUI cases that may be heard at the Fremont court include arrests that occurred in: 

  • Newark
  • Fremont
  • Union City
  • CHP arrests on I-880 and I-680
  • BART Police Department
  • East Bay Regional Park District Police Department

Fremont Hall of Justice

39439 Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538

Phone: (510) 818-7501

Parking: There is free parking available in the parking lot next to the courthouse. This parking lot has entrances off of Paseo Padre Parkway and Walnut Avenue.  

Public Transportation: The closest BART station is the Fremont station (.6 miles away), between Walnut Avenue and Mowry Avenue. This BART station is on the Orange and Green lines. A number of AC Transit bus lines also serve the area around the Fremont courthouse.

Contact Your Alameda County DUI Defense Lawyer As Soon As Possible

The easiest way to deal with an Alameda County DUI is to contact an experienced East Bay DUI defense lawyer. Attorney Lynn Gorelick has more than 30 years of DUI experience and understands the consequences for California drivers after a DUI arrest. She understands how to approach the individual facts of each case for the greatest chance of success, keeping her clients out of jail and driving on the road  Representing drivers in Alameda County, Lynn Gorelick is familiar with the local DUI laws, and the local officers and prosecutors involved. Contact East Bay DUI lawyer Lynn Gorelick today.

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